Buehrle latest veteran entering contract year

It's Mark Buehrle's turn to go through what could be his final season with the White Sox.

But the left-handed ace, who has thrown at least 200 innings for 10 consecutive seasons, has kept all his options open.

"If I have a good year and something happens, there's an opportunity out there to sign and I'm open for it," Buehrle, 31, said Friday from SoxFest. "I'll talk with the wife (Jamie) and play for a couple more years, possibly. So we'll see. It's a long year.

"If I decide to retire at the end, I'll retire. If not, I'll sign somewhere."

Coaches' corner: General manager Ken Williams gave a vote of confidence to the Sox's coaching staff, whose contracts expire after 2011.

"What we'd like to ultimately do is make sure we're all on the same page and some of the other peripheral things are no longer factors," Williams said. "I have confidence in every one of these coaches. But (picking up manager Ozzie Guillen's 2012 option) was the first order of business. Now we have to take care of the next set."

Williams, however, expressed displeasure about the outspokenness of pitching coach Don Cooper, who prefers left-hander Chris Sale prepare for one role rather than swing between starting and relieving. Williams said Sale will prepare as a starter but could shift to the bullpen once Jake Peavy returns from injury, perhaps by May 1.

"But to have (Sale) prepare as a reliever and take away one or two of his pitches, because that's what guys tend to do, I don't think it's wise, " Williams said. "My pitching coach will ultimately fall in line with his general manager and his manager. Coop should probably speak to us before he speaks to you guys."

Oops.

Extra innings: Williams expressed more faith in rookie third baseman Brent Morel than outfielder Jordan Danks, who needs more playing time in the minors before he can compete for a backup job. "(Morel) can probably play four days a week, and you can still get the benefit of having his defense out there and growth offensively," Williams said. "So he's a little bit different." … The March 10 exhibition against Arizona might not be televised because of wiring issues at the Diamondbacks' new North Scottsdale facility. … The Sox's planned restaurant across from U.S. Cellular Field will be named Comiskey Bar and Grill. … Guillen's website, OzzieGuillen.com, has been launched.